Freshers: Overrated or underfunded?

Freshers: Overrated or underfunded?

6 months ago

By Maria Campuzano

It’s that time of year again. Students all over London prepare to start or return to life at uni. The thrill of independence is real. And it all starts with the legendary Freshers Week- or as the SU is calling it this year, ‘Arrivals Week’.

Honestly for me, whatever you want to call it, the week was absolute nonsense and completely overrated, and I think London as a city is to blame for that. It isn’t until you move here that you realize how easily your money evaporates. You’ve been researching the best fresher’s nights for months, you’ve been promised at least 7 nights of insanity, and you’ve already organized an outfit for every single occasion.

But when the time comes for the ‘Biggest fresher’s events in the nation’, you have no money for them. Maybe you do, but then there’s finding transportation and someone to go with.

London is not a student city

Unlike everywhere else in the country, London is not a student city. Few places offer student nights, during the week, limiting transport options. There’s always the uni bar, but chances are, it’ll look like a scene from The Inbetweeners.

Another big thing is Freshers Fair. The intention is great, yet when it comes down to it, it’s just exhausting. Packed with a crowd of 18-year-olds that probably won’t join everything they sign up for, chances are you won’t find what you are looking for.

So if you’re excited to go to London for uni and even more for the legendary Fresher’s Week, I am sorry to crush your expectations. This doesn’t mean that you won’t meet great people and have fun the rest of your first year.
As far as Fresher’s Week goes, it’s not everything it’s cracked up to be, so forgive London for not being student-friendly; however, your time in this endless city will be some of the best in your life.